Device for applying covers or lids to containers



Dec. 6, 1955 A. J. LECLERC ET AL 2,726,029

DEVICE FOR APPLYING COVERS OR LIDS TO CONTAINERS Filed 001:. 25, 1952 0 M IIIIIIHIIS 2?.

INVENTOR. DF/VAA/O a. LEGAL-"RC m" BY 5'4 YMOND M lECLEEC United States Patent DEVICE FOR APPLYING COVERS 0R LIDS T0 CONTAINERS Armand J. Leclerc and Raymond W. Leclerc, Leominster, Mass.

Application October 25, 1952, Serial No. 316,842 1 Claim. (Cl. 226-89) This invention relates to a new and improved device for quickly, easily and accurately applying lids to containers and the like. In applying the usual lid to a paper or cardboard container, it often happens that the person applying the lid may press a little too hard with one finger or the other and dislodge the contents of the container and bend the lid. This invention does away with this hazard and also provides means whereby the lid is accurately and quickly placed in position.

The present invention comprises a generally flat ele ment having a peripheral flange thereon and a radially inwardly spaced second flange parallel to and concentric with the peripheral flange but being shorter in extent from the flat element, the first-named flange acting as a guide on the periphery of the paper or cardboard container and the inner flange acting as means for depressing the lid down to the reception means therefor conventionally supplied in containers of the class under consideration.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an exploded view illustrating the operation of the device;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through a container with the lid and the device in operative position;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the device;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a paper container with the lid in position; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section of a portion of the device.

In the drawing, the reference numeral generally indicates the paper or cardboard container which is usually cylindrical or tapering and is provided with a rim 12. Inwardly spaced therefrom there is a circular depression 14 or the like which is adapted to receive and yieldingly latch a circular cardboard or the like lid 16, the latter having a diameter a little greater than the diameter of the paper container just above the depression 14, so that the lid is lightly held in position as will be clear. The lid usually is provided with a tab 18 by which it is removed from the paper container so that the contents thereof may be made available.

The lids are ordinarily dropped upon the filled container and then pressed downwardly by the thumbs of the operator and many times it happens that the downward pressure by means of the thumbs is not uniform and one thumb or the other may push the lid down into the con tents of the container, spilling the same and creasing or otherwise spoiling the lid.

In the present invention, the lid is lightly placed upon the container rim in the usual way and then the device or tool of the present invention is used to quickly and evenly place the lid in the desired latched location shown in Fig. 2.

The present device comprises a circular disc-like element 20, the shape of which is not a limiting factor to the present invention. This disc is provided with a peripheral flange 22 that extends at right angles to the disc element 20, as shown, for a short distance. Radially inwardly from flange 22, there is a second concentric flange 24 that is shorter than flange 22.

In the use of the device, the same is grasped in either hand and applied to the container with lid in initial position. The flange 22 guides the tool downwardly with respect to the rim 12 of container 10 and at the same time the continuous inner flange 24 depresses lid 16 to the same degree and with the same force all about the edge of the same so as to seat the lid in the depression as is clearly shown in Fig. 2.

In some cases, it will be desirable to have corresponding slots in the two flanges as indicated at 26 for the accommodation of the tab 18 which is bent generally upwardly by the element or tool when the same is thrust downwardly as above explained. This of course does not alter the use or function of the device in any way.

Having thus described our invention and the advantages thereof, we do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claim, but what we claim is:

A one-piece unitary device for applying lids to paper cups having interior circular depressions below the rims thereof and parallel thereto, comprising a generally thin flat body having a peripheral flange and a concentric parallel second flange thereon facing in the same direction and inwardly spaced from the first flange, said flanges forming a continuous annular groove therebetween to receive the rim of the cup, said peripheral flange being only slightly longer than the second flange, the latter being as long as the distance from the rim of the cup to the depression.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,421,698 Lebherz July 4, 1922 1,699,062 Goldberger Ian. 15, 1929 1,850,522 Wessman Mar. 22, 1932 1,908,216 Bergmann May 9, 1933 2,694,517 Pennestri Nov. 16, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 424,916 France May 27, 1911 

